MOD ROCKER FLOORS SCOTS
Same old story as Clarke’s men exit
STEVE CLARKE’S Tartan Army will have to think again.
The dream of progressing out of the group stages of a tournament for the first time in 67 years of trying was broken by the genius of Luka Modric.
With the outside of his right boot, he brilliantly caressed a 25-yard curling shot into the top corner to give Zlatko Dalic’s side the lead after an hour and extinguish any real hope of a Scotland victory.
For now, being at their first finals for 23 years will have to be the first stepping stone of progress for a young and improving squad.
At least Scotland broke their Euro goal duck. Callum Mcgregor’s first-half strike levelled the game and stoked hopes of a winner against the run of play and class on show.
After a Group D campaign that was lethargic, Real Madrid star Modric stepped forward to rekindle the swagger that took the Croats to the World Cup Final three years ago.
Stirring patriotism, revved-up players and a smattering of top-class players from the Premier League could only take the Scots so far.
But it was fun while it lasted, and adding Scottish colour to the next World Cup in Qatar is now a must for a side who need a goalscorer, but will improve.
Clarke admitted losing creative force Billy Gilmour to Covid was a “shock” but Stuart Armstrong slotted in.
The atmosphere generated by just 12,000 fans was fierce, as was a start befitting both nations needing to win to progress. Quick out the blocks, John Mcginn had a curler tipped wide with Che Adams so close to getting a touch.
But it turned flat after 17 minutes. Ivan Perisic nodded down a cross from Josep Juranovic into the path of ex-everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic.
The 23-year-old smashed home from 12 yards, hooking it around Scott Mctominay’s attempted block.
Croatia were poor against England, sluggish for a half against the Czechs, but were very clearly up for this one.
Sharp in body and mind, and dominating possession, they were in total control for long periods. Clarke’s men did not lie down. Mcginn went close with an underhit shot and when crosses were launched into their box, Croatia looked vulnerable.
And so it proved, when Juranovic scuffed his clearance to the edge of the box in the 42nd minute.
Celtic midfielder Mcgregor snapped up the loose ball, drilling home from 22 yards.
It set up an all-or-nothing second-half tussle that Croatia dominated.
Keeper David Marshall dived bravely at the feet of Josco Gvardiol to stop him when clear on goal and then denied Perisic from point-blank range.
But Perisic finished the tie with a header from Modric’s corner after 77 minutes. Scotland in reality were outclassed.
CROATIA (4-3-2-1): Livakovic 6; Juranovic 6, Vida 6 Lovren, Gvardiol 6 (Barisici 72); Kovacic 7, Brozovic 7, Modric 8; Vlasic 8 (Ivanusec 76), Perisic 7 (Rebic 81); Petkovic 7 (Kramaric 70).
SCOTLAND (3-4-1-2): Marshall 7; Mctominay 6, Hanley 6 (Mckenna 33, 5), Tierney 6; O’donnell 6 (Patterson 84), Armstrong 5 (Fraser 70, 5), Mcgregor 7, Robertson 6; Mcginn 7; Dykes 5, Adams 4 (Nisbet 84).
REF: Fernando Rapallini (Argentina) 6.